Mediasonic Atsc Digital Converter Box

It does what it’s supposed to do. And as long as you have a good signal. Now before it arrives, make sure you have:1) two aaa batteries for the remote, because batteries are not included. 2) an extension cord, because the supplied wall-wart has a very short cord. 3) an hdmi cable if you plan to hook it up that way. 4) a short length of coax available to go from the unit to the tv if you ever want to watch something (using the tv’s tuner) while you are recording something using this devices tuner. Note: this unit receives digital channels only, it will not receive any analog channels, like channel 3 or 4 from an old gaming unit like an atari 5200. Overall it’s a good buy if you want to watch anything ota because in most places there is not much worthy of watching, so over time you might get enough recorded to enjoy a lazy weekend in front of the tv.

Ok, in spite of the mixed reviews, i purchased this to use with a projector that i also purchased on amazon. I had low expectations, but to be honest, this thing works great for me. It took all of 10 minutes from the time i opened the box, until i was watching tv. It picked up 28 channels, which is actually better than my new tv did.The on-screen guide is great, and so far, all of the functions work just fine. Yes, the remote is a bit screwy, but you’ll learn the buttons you will use after a little bit. The picture is very clear, there is no lag at all, and the setup is very easy, with a very good menu system. Really, for $22, i am more than happy, it works. And no, i didn’t get a discount for writing this, i’m writing this because for me, it was a great deal. Mediasonic homeworx hw130stb hdtv digital converter box with recording and media player function.

Since the manual is the worst ever written, i am going to tell you how (step by step) to get this up & going & how to record and then watch your shows. Hook up the unit to the co-ax cable (not supplied, & yes, you must have input from an antenna, preferably a digital antenna), the hdmi cable (not supplied) going to the tv, and the power cord. Insert a usb flash drive (any kind will work – it does not have to be a “fast writing” one, but get one with at least 32 gb of memory, preferably more, if you do not delete shows after watching them). One hour of recording is about 6 gb. Press the menu button and arrow over to the 2nd icon (picture) to set your screen size, then arrow over to the 3rd icon (channel search) to automatically scan for channels (takes a few minutes). Next, arrow over to the 4th icon (time) to set your time zone with dst on (if in daylight saving time). You must set the local time correctly or shows will not be recorded correctly. To record a program: push the epg button & arrow sideways to get to the channel you want, then arrow down to the program & time that program is offered , press ok, arrow down to once, daily, or weekly, then press ok. To watch a recoded program: push the usb button, arrow over to pvr icon>ok, hbpvr>ok, arrow up or down to your recorded program>ok. This will start the program off to the side of the tv screen, so then push the hold button to make it full screen.

I bought it to be able to get over the air signal on an old sony 32′ that only has an ntsc tuner (the pre-digital type). This tv, sony’s first lcd hdtv (cost a little under 3 grand in 2003) that has worked perfectly from the day i bought it 15 years ago. Alas, it is now consigned to my exercise area, a part of the house that doesn’t have a cable outlet. I wasn’t interested in recording down there so i haven’t tested (nor am i interested in) its capabilities in that area. Hooked up to a simple hd antenna, it immediately scanned and found 33 tv stations. The position of your antenna is the most significant factor in this regard. I liked this unit because it has a separate power adapter rather than one built into the unit itself. That is a major factor, imho, in reducing the possiiblities of early circuit failure from overheating (we shall see). Remote works fine 90% of the time. It was working and setting up its channels within five minutes of unboxing and cabling.

Plugged in a pny 128gb thumb drive and i have to say i’m impressed with it for such a low price. It has both hdmi and old fashioned rca plug analog output to the tv. Its tuner sensitivity seems to be as good as my older hitachi tv and in some ways is a bit better. It records a 720×480 image in mpeg-2 + ac3 in an mts transport stream that my pc has multiple programs that have no problem reading as well as itself playing back the file. Its autotuner has a ‘cable’ setting, but i don’t have cable anymore so i can’t test its ability or tuning range. The ‘user’s manual’ that comes with it is notably sparse on that kind of information (or any other technical info for that matter. ) but for the price i don’t think it can be beat as opposed to my old defunct magnavox recorder other than no built in dvd recorder, but the pc can do that if i want. One small point on my unit (v 2. 1) — if you start a recording manually, don’t push the ‘stop’ button to halt the recording.

Mediasonic HW130STB is a digital converter box which converts Over-The-Air ATSC digital broadcast to your analog and digital TV. The built-in recording function allows user to record their TV programs and play back. Please Note: this converter box is designed to receive Over-The-Air signal, and it is not a replacement of cable box. >Features: TV Tuner Function: Additional TV Tuner for your TV. Some TV does not have built-in TV Tuner; this will be an add-on to your TV. For example: It works with VIZIO TV TV Real Time and Schedule Recording (Require USB 2.0 or 3.0 external hard drive) USB Multimedia function play back Video, Music, Photo from USB drive EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and program information Favorite Channel List Parental Control Function Closed Caption EAS (Emergency Alert System) to alert you any emergency information from TV station Timing Start up and Shut down Auto, 16:9 Pillar Box, 16:9 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Letter Box, 4:3 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Full, 16:9 Wide ScreenPackage Content Main Unit x 1 AC Power Adapter x 1 Remote Control x 1 AV Cable x 1 User ManualWarranty and Technical Support Email support@mediasonicusa.com1 Year Warranty from Mediasonic StoreImportant Note: This converter box is designed to receive Over-The-Air signal, and it is not a replacement of cable box. External Antenna is required to connect to this converter box in order to receive signal. This product does NOT Work with TIVO and cable company such as Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, etc. In general, this product does NOT work with encrypted cable signal

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From the manufacturer

Receive Local TV Channel Mediasonic ATSC digital TV converter box converts over-the-air ATSC digital TV broadcast to your analog and digital TV, projector, and computer monitor. It supports up to 1080P	Record and Playback your favorite TV show HW130STB allows you to record TV show in USB 2.5″ / 3.5″ external hard drive and play back on your TV or Computer. USB flash drive is not recommended for recording function.	TV Tuner Function HW130STB can be additional TV Tuner to your TV. If your TV does not have TV tuner, it can act as a receiver for over-the-air TV channel. If your TV already has a tuner, you can watch TV using existing tuner, and use this box to record another channel.	Easy Installation You can connect HW130STB to your TV by either HDMI or Composite or Coaxial port.

Additional Features:

• TV Tuner Function: Add additional Tuner to your TV, some TV does not have built-in tuner, this can be an add-on to your TV. eg: compatible with VIZIO TV
• 12 hr. AM / PM time display
• EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and program information.
• Favorite Channel List
• Parental Control Function
• Closed Caption
• EAS (Emergency Alert System) to alert you any emergency information from TV station
• Real Time and Schedule Recording

Important Note:

This converter box is designed to receive Over-The-Air TV signal, and it is not a replacement of cable box. External Antenna is required to connect to this converter box in order to receive signal. This product does Not Work with TIVO and cable company such as Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, etc. In general, this product does not work with encrypted cable signal.

Important Note:

This product ONLY work for ATSC signal. It will work in USA / Canada / Mexico / Bahamas / Dominican Republic / Suriname. For other countries, please check with your local TV signal before purchase this item.

TV Recording Important Note:

• Recommend USB 2.0 or 3.0 2.5″ or 3.5″ External Hard Drive
• Support up to 2TB. Hard Drive need to formatted in MBR Format
• Using USB Flash Drive does not provide smooth recording.
• Video is recorded in MTS format, and can be play back in Computer too
• Each hour of recording will take about 8GB
• Subtitle will be recorded only If it is turn on during the recording

	HW130STB	HW-150PVR	HW130RN	DVD Player w/ HDMI
Case Material	ABS Plastic	Metal	ABS Plastic	ABS
Power	External	Internal	External	Internal
Product Size (Inch)	5 x 4 x 1.5	7.5 x 4.5 x 1.5	5 x 4 x 1.5	8.8 x 7.8 x 1.8
TV Tuner	✓	✓	✓	Progressive Scan
Media Player	✓	✓	✓	USB Multimedia
TV Recording	✓	✓	No	HDMI / AV / Coaxial Output
Condition	New	New	New	New

Features and Spesification

• Receive Over-The-Air Digital Broadcast to your Analog and Digital TV, Projector, and Computer Monitor. Antenna Out Analog Pass Through, Favorite Channel List, Parental Control Function
• HDMI 1080P Output / Composite Out / Coaxial Output, Closed Caption, Auto Tuning, Timing Start Up & Shut Down.
• Real-Time Recording & Programmed Time Recording, recording require user to connect a USB 2.0 or 3.0 2.5″ / 3.5″ External Hard Drive via USB (Up to 2TB, MBR format) (USB Flash Drive Not recommended)
• USB Multimedia function play back Video, Music, Photo from USB Drive
• **PLEASE NOTE**:This converter box is designed to receive Over-The-Air signal, and it is not a replacement of cable box. External Antenna is required to connect to this converter box in order to receive signal. This product does NOT Work with TIVO and cable company such as Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, etc. In general, this product does NOT work with encrypted cable signal

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